Door closer



Nov. 9, 1954 E. J. McRAwETz v2,693,614

DobR CLOSER Filed Oct. 3, 1949 A 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f/2y; @i

JN V EN TOR.

NOV- 9, 1954 E. J. MoRAwr-:Tz 2,693,614

DOOR CLUSER Filed Oct. 3, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ffy.- 4 fr@ i QM 5332-5 BY Z United States Patent Office j 2,693,614 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 DOOR CLOSER Edward I. Morawetz, West Bend, Wis.

Application October 3, 1949, Serial No. 119,312

8 Claims. (Cl. 16-65) This invention relates generally to door closers and more particularly to an improved door closer of simple construction.

An inherent disadvantage of the presently available door closers is their complex construction and consequent diiiiculty in making repairs, requiring a trained mechanic to replace defective parts and effect the necessary adjustments.

It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide an improved door closer of simple and inexpensive construction which may be readily repaired.

Another object of the invention is to provide an irnproved door closer which will operate to close the door even when it is opened one hundred eighty degrees.

Another object is to provide an improved door closer which will not offer excessive resistance to the opening of the door, the resistance being substantially uniform throughout the normal degree of opening.

A further object is to provide an improved door buffer which effectively prevents the door from slamming closed and also serves to retain the door in its closed position.

A further object is to provide an improved door buffer utilizing the same spring energy to brake the speed of the closing door as well as to retain the door in its closed position.

According to this invention a door closer is comprised of a group of pivoting arms having a common pivot point, connected to each other at a distance from the pivot point by a series of springs, each spring connecting one arm to its succeeding arm. The first of the group of arms is connected to the frame of the doorway by a spring and the last arm is connected to the door by another spring, the several arms and springs cooperating to constitute a unitary resilient connection between the door and its stationary frame. This arrangement precludes the closing force from assuming a path parallel with the door when the door is opened one hundred eighty degrees so that the door will be closed automatically regardless of the position to which it is opened. The simple construction permits inexpensive production of the device which may be readily repaired and adjusted by others than trained mechanics. The unit also includes a novel door buffer which prevents violent closing of the door and functions to retain the door in position after it is closed.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description may be achieved through embodiment of the invention in an apparatus such as the exemplifying device depicted in and herein described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing the device installed on a door;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l, depicting the unit with the door closed;

Figure 3 is a plan view partly in section, illustrating the arrangement of the mechanism with the door open slightly less than ninety degrees;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation partly broken away to show structural details, illustrating the arrangement of the door buffer mechanism just before the door is fully closed;

Figure 5 is a view simar to Figure 4 but depicting the arrangement of the door buffer mechanism after the door is closed;

Figure 6 is a detailed view in perspective of one of the arms shown assembled in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detailed view in elevation of the back side of the housing cover, illustrating the spring urged sliding extension of the cover;

Figure 8 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 8 8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a detailed view in side elevation, partially in section, of the dog and bracket shown in Figures l and 2 connecting the door closing mechanism to the door; and

Figure 10 is a detailed view in front elevation of the dog and bracket depicted in Figure 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and especially to Figs. l and 2 thereof, a door closer constructed g The embodiment of the invention depicted in Fig. 3 is shown with eleven of the arms 19 but any suitable number, depending upon the conditions, may be used.

The arms 19 have a lug 21 secured to them at one end in which is bored a hole 22 for receiving the end of a spring 23. A bracket 24 is also secured to each of the arms 19 having a hole 25 formed at its end to receive an end of the spring 23. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the top one of the arms 19 has the rst spring 23 attached to its bracket 24 with the other end of the spring secured to the back of the housing 17. Another spring 23 is attached to its lug 21 with the other end vof the spring fastened to the bracket 24 of the second arm 19 of the l series. In like manner the second arm 19 has another spring 23 attached to its lug 21 through the hole 22 with the opposite end of the spring secured to the bracket 24 of the third arm 19. The remaining of the arms 19 are connected to one another in exactly the same manner. The last or bottom one of the arms is connected to a plate 26 by another of the springs 23 with the plate 26 fixed to a cover 27.

An arm 28 is also pivoted on the bolt 18, beneath the arms 19, with its outer or free end xed to the cover 27 through the plate 26 and a reinforcing plate 29. The cover 27 serves to close the open front of the housing 17 when the door 15 is closed with the several arms 19 and springs 23 functioning as a unitary resilient connection between the cover 27 and the housing 17, retaining the cover 27 over the opening in the housing 17 until external forces are applied, to pivot the cover away from the housing by extending the springs 23.

The plate `26 is provided with an opening or slot 35 for receiving a dog 36 having a groove 37 formed in its upper end. The end of the dog 36 has oppositely disposed ats 38 above the groove. 37, as illustrated in Fig 10, to permit the end of the dog 36 to be inserted into the opening 35 which is narrower than the diameter of the dog. In order to assemble the dog 36 to the plate 26, it is positioned so that 'the flats 38 are parallel with the opening 35 and the end of the dog 36 is then inserted into the opening 35 up to the groove 37. The dog 36 is then l turned to its proper position with the groove 37 in the opening 35 and the dog is thus operably retained in the plate 26.

The dog 36 is mounted on the door 15 by means of a bracket 39; a sleeve 40 fixed to a rod 41 is secured to the bracket 39. The dog 36 is adjustable axially in the sleeve 40 to permit thedevice to be used interchangeably on various types of doors, the dog being adjusted to agree with the distance from the face of the door 15 to the location of the opening 35 in the plate 26 with the door in its closed position. Two set screws 42 and 43, threaded in the sleeve 40, are provided for fixedly.

yAs the door is opened, the cover 27 moves with it as it pivots about the bolt 18 through the arm 28. The arms 19 are swung outward with the cover 27 because of their connection therewith by means of the springs 23, the `springs extending as the cover 27 is pivoted outwardly.

VIf the cover 27 was constructed of a single rigid plate throughout its length, it would interfere with the full opening of the door by striking the exterior surface of the left end of the door closer housing 17 before the door reached its one hundred eighty degree open position. Therefore, the cover 27 does not extend the full length of the opening in the housing 17 but is provided with a slidable extension 46.

As best shown in Fig. 7, the extension 46 is slidably retained on the cover 27 by means of a pair of guides 49 mounted on the cover. A spring 50 is supported between the guides 49 by a rod 51 extending axially through its center; the rod is fixed at its left end, as viewed in Fig. 7, to the cover 27 and is slidably retained at its other end in a bracket 52 mounted on the extension 46. The bracket 52 also serves as a bearing ledge for the end of the spring 50, and, as the extension 46 is moved to the left, as seen in Fig. 7, the bracket 52 moves with the extension along the rod 51 to compress the spring 50. When the extension 46 is released, the compressed spring 50 forces it outwardly to its original position.

When the door 15 is opened, the cover 27 pivots with it, without interference until the edge of the extension 46 strikes the left end of the housing 17- Upon opening the door further, the extension 46, abutting the left end of the housing 17 is forced inwardly toward the cover 27 against the pressure of the spring 50 to permit the door to be opened a full one hundred eighty degrees. When the door is closed again from the one hundred eighty degree open position, the spring 50 will force the extension 46 outwardly until it is fully extended when it no longer touches the left end of the housing 17.

Clearance is also necessary at the left end of the housing 17 for the arms 28 and 19 when the door 15 is opened more than ninety degrees. The left end of the housing is therefore provided with a hinged section 53 which is yieldably retained in its closed position by a spring 54. The section 53 is hinged forward of the point at which the edge of the extension 46 strikes the left end of the housing 17 so that it is free to swing outwardly when the door is opened. When the door is opened beyond its ninety degree open position the arm 28 strikes the edge of the hinged section 53 forcing it outward against the pressure of the spring 54. As the door 15 is closed, the arm 2S is also pivoted inwardly free of the hinged section 53 allowing the spring 54 to return it to its closed position as shown in Figures l and 3.

The mechanism within the housing 17 is fully enclosed when the door 15 is closed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Since the dog 36 mounted on the door 15 is in engagement with the opening of the plate 26, which is fixed to the cover 27, the cover swings outwardly with the door when it is opened. As previously described, the cover 27 is resiliently connected to the housing 17 through the springs 23 and the arms 19, and when the cover is pivoted outwardly it extends the springs 23, causing the arms 19 to pivot with it about the bolt 18. The plurality of springs 23 guided by the arms 19 through an arc as the door 15 is opened function to permit the door to be opened one hundred eighty degrees without adversely affecting their operation. When the door is in the one hundred eighty degree open position, the springs 23 forma semi-circle and their energy is exerted through a semicircular path rather than parallel with the door as would be the case if they were not guided in their movement by the arms 19. This arrangement creates a force tending to close the door, operating substantially perpendicular to the door at all times regardless of its position. Therefore, when the door 15 is released in any open position, the tension of the springs 23 draws the cover 27 and, consequently, the door 15 inwardly until both are fully closed.

As the door 15 is drawn towards its closed position by the springs 23, it gains momentum and would slam shut if it were not checked in its path of travel. A door buffer 55, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is provided to prevent such slamming of the door. The buffer is comprised of a braking element 56 which is held against a slideway 57 integrally formed on the anges of inverted channel or guide channel 58 by a pair of springs 59 attached to the housing l17 above the slideway 57. The braking element 56 has two leg portions 60 and 61 disposed at a right angle to each other with the springs 59 attached by means of extending pins to the leg 61. On the outer end of the slideway 57, an abutment 62 is provided with a bearing surface 63 formed immediately above the abutment integral and parallel with the slideway 57.

When the door 15 is in its closed position, the braking element 56 rests against the slideway 57 in the position depicted in Fig. 5 with an abutment or contact plate 64, which is rigidly fastened on the plate 26, engaging the leg 61 of the braking element 56. As the door 15 is opened, the contact plate 64 moves leftwardly from the position shown in Figure 5 into engagement with the leg 61. The pressure on the leg 61 causes the braking element 56 to slide along the slideway 57 until its corner passes the abutment 62. At this point the upward pull of the springs 59 on the leg 61 draws the corner of the braking element 56 against the bearing surface 63, the braking element always remaining within the guide 58 which extends beyond the abutment 62, as shown in Fig. 5. With the braking element thus tilted, continued pressure against the leg 61 by the contact plate 64 no longer serves to slide the braking element but rather functions to pivot the leg 61 upwardly until its edge bears against the surface 63; the springs 59 then draw the braking element inwardly until its corner engages the abutment 62, leaving the braking element 56 in the positionA shown in Fig. 4. With the leg 61 pivoted upwardly in this manner, the contact plate 64 is permitted to pass without opposition.

After being opened, the door 15 is allowed to return without interference until shortly before it reaches the fully closed position. At this point the contact plate 64 strikes the leg 60 which is then extending downwardly, as shown in Fig. 4. Since the corner of the braking element 56 is engaging the abutment 62, the pressure against the leg 69 causes it to pivot upwardly until its edge contacts the slideway 57. As the leg 60 is pivoting upwardly, the leg 61 is pivoting downwardly behind the contact plate 64, against the tension of the springs 59 holding it upward in contact with the bearing surface 63. The energy of the closing door is utilized in overcoming the force of the springs 59 and the rate of travel of the closing door is substantially decreased. When the edge of the leg 60 comes into Contact with the slideway 57, the springs 59 pull the braking element 56 toward the back of the housing 17, sliding it along the slideway 57 until the leg 61 is drawn tightly against the contact plate 64 to yieldably retain the door 15 in its closed position.

From the foregoing detailed description of a practical working embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that there has been provided an improved door closer of simple -and inexpensive construction which may be adapted to accommodate a variety of types of doors. The device eifectively operates to close the door from any open position but does not excessively resist its opening. rl`he arrangement permits the door to be opened t0 its full extent, retaining the force tending to close the door approximately perpendicular tov it throughout its range of opening, even when the door is parallel with the adjoining wall. Another advantage of the invention is that defective parts may be readily replaced, without the services of a trained mechanic and that the apparatus remains in proper adjustment through continued use. The door buffer included in the invention serves a dual purpose of preventing the door from slamming and retaining it in its closed position, utilizing the same spring energy for both functions.

Although but a single embodiment o f the invention rhas been set forth in considerable detail to constitute a full disclosure, it is to be understood that persons skilled in the art may utilize the novel principles here taught in apparatus differing in construction from the particular devexplained in connection with thev foregoing description of embodying structure, I hereby claim as my invention:

l. 1n a door closer, a housing ,having an open front attached to the door frame, a cover hinged to said housing and attached toy the door to cover the opening in said l housing when the door is closed and pivot away from said housing as the door is opened, a plurality of arms pivotable about the pivot point of said cover, and a plurality of springs one of which connects the rst of said arms to said housing, another of which connects the last of said arms to said hinged cover, and the remaining of which each connects one of said arms to the succeeding arm to yieldably retain said cover and the door in the closed position whereby the door may be opened against the tension of said springs but is automatically closed when released.

2. In a door closer, a plurality of arms pivotable about a pin xed to the door frame, and a plurality of springs, one of which attaches the first of said arms to the door frame, another of which attaches the last of said arms to the door, the others of which each attaches one of said arms to the succeeding arm whereby the door is resiliently connected to its frame so that it may be opened against the tension of said springs but will close automatically when released.

3. In a door closer, a pivot pin secured to the door frame, a rst arm pivotable about said pivot pin at one end and resiliently attached to the door frame, a second arm pivotable about said pivot pin at one end and resiliently attached to the door, and a plurality of arms pivotable about said pivot pin between said first arm and said second arm and resiliently attached to each other, the rs't of which is resiliently attached to said rst arm and the last of which is resiliently attached to said second arm to provide a resilient connection between said door and its frame which will retain the door in its closed position except when opened by an external force suicient to overcome the resilient connection between the door and the frame. y,

4. In a door closer, a plurality of pivotally disposed arms, a plurality of springs attached successively to said arms, the lirst being secured at its free end to the frame of the doorway and the last being fastened at its free end to the door to form a unitary resilient connection between the door and the stationary frame of the doorway, and guide means on said arms disposed to guide said springs through an arc when they are extended as the door is opened, so that the force of said springs tending to close the door operates at the same angle to the door regardless of the degree to which the door is opened.

5. In a door closer, a pin secured to the frame of the doorway, a plurality of arms overlying each other and individually pivotable about said pin, and a plurality of springs one of which is connected to attach the rst of said arms to the frame of the doorway, another of which is connected to attach the last of said arms to the door, and the remaining of which each attaches one of said arms to its succeeding arm to form a unitary resilient connection between the frame of the doorway and the door, so constructed and arranged as to apply the force of said springs substantially perpendicular to the door regardless of the degree to which it is opened and effect door closure thereby.

6. In a door closer, a pivot pin, a plurality of arms pivotable about said pivot pin, a plurality of sprmgs one of which attaches the rst of said arms to the frame of the doorway, another of which attaches the last of said arms to the door, and the remaining of which each attach one arm to the succeeding arm to form a unitary resilient connection between the frame of the doorway and the door in which the force of the springs tending to close the door is applied at the same angle to the door regardless of the degree to which the door is opened, a slideway secured to the frame of the doorway, an abutment formed by the end of said slideway, a guide on each side of said slideway extending beyond said abutment, a braking element having two legs at an angle to each other located when the door is open between said guides with the corner at which its two legs join against said abutment and out of contact with said slideway, a spring atached to one leg of said braking element to yieldably retain said braking element within said guides, and a contact plate fixed to the door in a position to engage one leg of said braking element as the door is closed to cause said braking element to pivot about said abutment against the tension of the spring connected to the brake element to force the last named leg between said guides against the slideway and the other leg topivot outwardly behind said contact plate to substantially decrease the speed of the closing door.

7. In a door closer, a plurality of springs connected successively to each other with the free end of the rst spring secured to the frame of the doorway and the free end of the last spring xed to the door, a guide means arranged to guide said springs as they are being extended when the door is opened so that the force of said springs tending to close the door will continue to operate at the same angle to the door throughout its range of opening, a bracket mounted on the frame of the doorway, a braking element having two angularly disposed legs pivotally mounted on said bracket with either one of said legs extending from said bracket depending upon the direction to which said braking element is pivoted, an anchored spring attached to one leg of said braking element to resist pivoting of said braking element in either direction, and a contact plate mounted on the door in position to strike the other leg of said braking element and pivot it against the resistance of the spring connected to the brake element which substantially decreases the speed of the closing door to prevent slamming and retains the doorin its closed position until suicient force is applied to overcome the resistance of said spring.

8. A door closer comprising a plurality of individual springs, means for connecting one of said springs to a door and another of said springs to the door frame, a pivot pin mounted on the frame, a plurality of individual guide means each pivotally disposed on said pin and each serv ing to interconnect the other springs of said plurality of springs, the springs connected to the door and the frame being connected to the guide means on said pivot pin, whereby each spring imparts a tensive closing force substantially perpendicular to the door regardless of position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

